WEBVTT THIS FREE FESTIVAL PROMISES TOBE BIGGER, BRIGHTER, AND BOLDER.ONCE AGAIN THE FESTIVITIES WILLKICK OFF WITH AN OPENING NIGHTPARADE.THE BALTIMORE OFFICE OFPROMOTION AND THE ARTS ANNOUNCEDYOU CAN EXPECT THE SPECTACULARART YOU WITNESSED LAST YEAR ANDSOME NEW ADDITIONS.THIS YEAR, LIGHT CITY EXPANDS THERE WILL BE 50 CONCERTS.NINE DAYS OVER TWO WEEKENDS.125 ILLUMINATED PERFORMANCES.AND ALL LOCAL FOOD ANDBEVERAGES.>> HEAVY SEAS BEER, BRWERS ART,UNION CRAFT BEER AND SAGAMORERIGHT -- RYE.LISA: LAST YEAR, THE FESTIVALBROUGHT 400,000 PEOPLE AND $33.8MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT TOTHE CITY.ORGANIZERS EXPECT THAT AND MORE.BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR IS THE BGELIGHT WALK, A 1.5 MILE TRAILALONG THE INNER HARBOR WITHARTWORK, PERFORMANCES ANDLOCALLY SOURCED FOOD.IN ADDITION TO LOCAL ANDNATIONAL CULINARY TALENT THISYEAR YOU CAN EXPECT A FOOD LAB.>> IT IS LOOKING AT HOT TOPICSAND IMPORTANT TOPICS LIKE FOODDESERTS AND FOOD ACCESS AND FOODEQUITY.WE ARE VERY PROUD THAT WE AREONE OF THE UNIQUE COMMUNITIESTHAT IS TAKING THE -- THAT FOCUSTHIS YEAR.LISA: THIS YEAR IT WILL EXTENDINTO EIGHT IN -- NEIGHBORHOODS.>> B.G.E. IS GLAD TO SPONSOR THELIGHT CITY SHOWCASE.THE PROGRAM WILL ALSO BEFEATURED IN -- AND WE WILL MAKESURE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TOGIVE PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF THENEIGHBORHOODS IS SO YOU CANENJOY AND FEEL THE FABRIC OF OURCITY.LISA MAYOR KATHERINE PUGH SAYS: SHE'S EXCITED TO HAVE THEFESTIVAL BACK AND SHE ISSUED ACHALLENGE TO LOCAL BUSINESSES.>> I NEED EVERY BUSY -- BUSINESSTO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU LIGHT UPYOUR BUILDINGS TO COUNTRY TO THEGROWTH OF LIGHT CITY.DO THAT FOR ME, PLEASE.LISA THE FESTIVAL WILL BE OPEN 7: TO 11 ON WEEKNIGHTS AND UNTILMIDNIGHT ON WEEKENDS.IT STARTS MARCH 31 AND ENDSSATURDAY, APRIL 8 WITH AMIDNIGHT FIREWORKS FINALE.

The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts asked a federal judge last year to be awarded sole control over the Light City trademarks.

Brooke and Justin Allen, who came up with the idea for Light City, countersued, asking a judge to stop the city from using trademarks associated with the event. The city said the suits will not stop the show.

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For nine consecutive days, the free festival promises to be bigger, brighter and bolder.

Once again the festivities will kick off with an opening night parade. The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts announced that people can expect the spectacular art witnessed last year and some new additions.

This year, Light City expands to nine days over two weekends. There will be 50 concerts with 125 illuminated performances, and all local food and beverages, which BOPA festival director Kathy Hornig said include "Heavy Seas Beer, Brewer's Art, Union Craft Brewery and Sagamore Rye."

Last year, the festival attracted 400,000 people and $33.8 million in economic impact to the city. Organizers expect that and more.

Back again, this year is the BGE Light Walk, a 1.5-mile trail along the Inner Harbor with artwork, performances and locally sourced food. In addition to local and national culinary talent, people who attend this year can expect a food lab.

"(We're) also looking at hot topics and important topics, like food deserts and food access and food equity, and we are very proud that we're one of the unique committees in the country that are taking that particular focus," said Jaimie McDonald, head of the Light City steering committee.

This year, Light City will extend into eight neighborhoods from Little Italy to Mondawmin.

"BGE is proud to sponsor the lighting showcase over at Mondawmin Mall. The Mondawmin Neighborhood Lights Program will also be featured, and we will make sure we have an opportunity to get people in and out of neighborhoods, so you can enjoy and feel the fabric of our city," BGE CEO Calvin Butler said.

Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh said she's excited to have the festival back and she issued a challenge to local businesses.

"I need every business to figure out, downtown especially, how you will light up your buildings to contribute to the growth of Light City. Do that for me please," Pugh said.

The festival will be open 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weeknights and until midnight on weekends. It starts on March 31 and ends April 8 with a midnight fireworks finale.